Every individual with MCS needs housing that is “safe” (tolerable)
for that individual in order to heal and avoid becoming even more sensitive.
Unfortunately, the vast majority of conventional housing is not safe, mainly
due to: toxic building products and practices, pesticides, and carpet;
widespread occurrence of mold; use of lawn care products and other chemicals
by neighbors; and fumes from industry and highways.

People with MCS who can afford it generally build
specially constructed housing using safe materials, or remodel existing
housing. Affordable MCS housing developments are desperately needed.
Obstacles include lack of funds, agreement about location, and energy for
completion.

At this time, Ecology House, in California is the only
public low income dwelling in the US specially built for people with MCS.
There is a long-standing official MCS community in Seagoville, Texas, and a
new one, Quail Haven, just north of Tucson, Arizona. Informal MCS communities
can be found on the Net and in MCS newsletters. New MCS communities are in
the planning stages in Texas and Utah.

Camping…

Many chemically sensitive people do not have adequately
tolerated shelter and are forced to live at times in their vehicles (this
includes people who rent or even own housing but cannot live in it, either
because the home itself is unsafe, or because of pesticides, painting,
roofing, asphalting, etc. in the neighborhood).

Camping in campgrounds is an option but can be difficult
due bathroom cleaners, wood smoke and barbecues. If you are in a desperate
situation, contact the local MCS Support Group and tell them so.

Housing in the Tucson area…

Temporary lodging: see HEAL of Southern Arizona’s
Safe Lodging List for member recommendations. Some have had success camping
out at Catalina Sate Park, Gilbert Ray Campground, or on Mount Lemmon.

Rentals: Be forewarned that is extremely difficult
for people with MCS to find “safe” (tolerable) rental housing in Tucson due
to the widespread use of pesticides, carpeting, and gas appliances.

Buying/building: Those who can afford it generally
either buy and remodel existing housing, or build pesticide-free,
all-electric homes with tile floors, low-VOC paints, etc. HEAL of Southern
Arizona’s Building Materials Packet, Lending Library, the Internet, and the
Public Library, contain information on safe building and remodeling. Property
is available in the Quail Haven area (see Official MCS Communities, below).

Public housing: Tucson has no safe public housing
facilities for people with MCS. Those in need of low-cost housing often
either apply for Section 8 or renovate old trailers.

Selecting a Location in the US …

Scorecard,
a great site with maps of environmental information for entire US.

Share/Care/Prayer
has a booklet that honestly describes EI communities in the SW, emphasizing
the great variation in what is “safe” for EI's. Write to them and ask for the
"Diary of My trip to the Southwest".

MCS Apartments …

Ecology House, San Rafael, CA. An 11 unit low-income
apartment building, the only multiple unit housing to date built for the
Chemically Sensitive. This site has a good account of the project.

The Natural Place, In
Florida, (also listed under motels) will rent on monthly and yearly rates. It
is not low-income housing.

Quail Haven, located just north
of Tucson AZ: Diane Ensign has developed an MCS community of 1.5-acre lots
for safe building. There is more acreage for sale across the road, which
Diane will help others develop.

Short Term Rentals and Traveling…

Housing Information Exchange…

Note: Homes and rooms advertised in MCS newsletters as
"safe” may or may not be safe for you.

BE VERY CAREFUL: make a list of your
requirements, call and ask lots of questions, call support group members in
the area, then visit the place before making a commitment.

Shared Housing Exchange (ShoE) An
interchange by CIIN, you must subscribe to CIIN newsletter to participate.
Note: e-mail from CINN, dated 6/30/01 "The SHoE is still an on-going
project. We have had several members withdraw from the SHoE because they
found housing."

Organizations for Creating Housing / Planned Communities…

Here are three good resources to use in advocating for low-income
safe(r) accessible housing:

1. HUD's
Information Clearinghouse at 800-483-8929. Request their new "Super
NOFA" (Notice of Funding Availability) booklet. It describes over a
dozen HUD programs through which we can apply for financial and planning
assistance, either as individual users of Section 8, housing
authorities, or as non-profit community groups.